My goal was to have a Tank in my home because of the water problems in my area .Due to water pollution its safer to consume rainy water and cheaper because we are forced to consume water from a nearby dam and the water is contaminated. I also wanted to buy a sawing machine and start my own tailoring business.I have not yet developed any other goal and am glad that have accomplished what intended to do in the beginning.

GiveDirectly did well by enrolling less fortunate households in the community and providing the funds through mobile transfer which was easier to most of the members because they provided phones for everyone to access the new technology of money transfer.In addition, they funds have improved the living standard in our village because most of the members in the support program own new homes and businesses.

I spent my transfer of KES 20,000 in buying a new sewing machine just as I had planned.The rest of the funds were split in buying food supplies for my family of 5 members for the whole month and some new clothes for my three children. On the same budget I bought one sheep which cost me KES 5000.

It was around 9 am. when I received a message from GiveDirectly that confirmed the great news I had been anticipating. I was alone at home and could not quite celebrate it even though I was so excited. I could not resist the curiosity to check when I heard the vibration of my phone even though I was fully engaged in the activity that was going on. After getting the full assurance, I had to prepare lunch for my children that early since I needed to leave the house to withdraw the money from the nearby shopping center.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the purchase of a water tank. Even though I am still setting its foundation and the gutters around the roof, I am happy that it will give us a lasting solution once the rain starts. I can't wait to enjoy the experience of using clean water from the roof and stopping the frequent walk to and from the river to fetch just a 20-liter pot that is not clean enough to be used directly without boiling.

With my family of five, fetching enough water every day from the river - far away from our village - has been so hard. This had been my responsibility as all my children are still schooling and only come home late in the evening. Ensuring that I avail enough water to enhance their cleanliness and also for the home use has been a struggle, and a day hardly goes by without a prayer for a breakthrough that will enable us to get easy access to a water source. Upon receiving the first transfer, my first call was to obtain a large water tank that will be collecting rainwater conveyed by the gutters set beneath the edge of the roof. With the hiked prices at the market at the moment, I managed to secure a 3000-liter plastic tank at KES22500. I am setting it up at the moment as I await the onset of rain. I also had to obtain a sewing machine that I had been hoping to purchase after completion of my tailoring course two years ago. This has so far given me a chance to start a home-based sewing business that has given me hope of seeing it grow to give my family an extra source of income. I am glad that even though I got a second-hand machine at KES18000, I have gotten approvals from other tailors that it is one of the best that may not be in the market at the moment. With the remaining amount, I managed to improve my farm operations after buying certified seeds, clothed my three children, and also obtaining foodstuff for my household.